SETTLE CLAIMS!
Sterritt pledges land claims dialogue
B.C. Indians won't be the only ones to reap the benefits of a land claims settlement according to Northwest B.C. Indian leader Neil Sterritt.
Speaking to the 1986 UFAWU convention, the president of the Gitksan Wet'suwet'en Tribal Council said greater control by Indians over resources will mean better management and habitat protection for all B.C. residents.
The Tribal Council is claiming ownership of over 22,000 square miles in Northwestern B.C. and a share of the fish runs which return to the area's rivers including the Skeena River.
But he cautioned that the push by the council to create an inland commercial fishery will not result in a major curtailment of the coastal commercial fishery.
"As far as we are concerned there will probably always be a major commercial fishery on the coast," he said.
How much fish does the tribal council want? Sterritt said no specific figures have been finalized for the needs of his people.
"We've worked up a lot of figures," he said. "There is lots of room for discussion.
"We're not going to be restricted to the DFO 'food fishery' limits,"he added.
Under current legislation Indians are allowed to take fish for food purposes only and the sale of fish is illegal.
But winning the battle for a land claims settlement is still in the distant future as roadblocks continue to be placed in their path by both levels of government.
Sterritt held little hope the provincial government would negotiate in good faith and told delegates a major court case has been launched by the tribal council to win aboriginal rights.
As well, the tribal council is in the final stages of negotiations with the federal government for band bylaws which would increase the control of the fishery by the bands.
He claimed fears among other users groups and the federal government that more control for Indians would result in poor management were unfounded.
"If there is going to be a very poor year, we can adjust," he said. "We don't want to deplete the fishery because our first priority is conservation."
Management of the resources by local Indian bands has already resulted in improved habitat for salmon runs. The tribal council were successful in stopping logging from proceeding in
• Tribal Council leader Neil Sterritt (left) told delegates settling land claims will result in better resource management and increased habitat protection. Above, Indians confront police over fishing policies. Confrontations will continue until claims are justly settled.
an area where the habitat was very fragile. Sterritt said logging would not be halted if land claims were settled but companies would be forced to respect other environmental concerns.
"If we get out of this welfare syndrome and exploitation of resources and people from afar, all people will benefit in the territory," he said.
The court case — which could result in a decision calling for Indian self-government — is expected to begin in November and last for five or six months. However, if the Indians win, the provincial government is expected to appeal the decision.
Sterritt said when the tribal council filed the evidence, they included several private home owners in their claim. Realizing this was a mistake, the council asked to have the owners removed. However, the provincial government is appealing this move and Sterritt says this is part of the campaign to spread
false conceptions about land claims.
"They are creating the hostility and the fear which will detract from the real issues in this case," he said. "The provincial government is using every resource at their disposal against the Gitkan Wet'suwet'en case.
"We know what we are up against and it's going to be a tough case," he said.
Delegates attending the convention received Sterritt's speech with a warm round of applause and during debates on Indian land claims they came out strong on two key points.
Firstly, delegates wanted both levels of government to get on with the job of negotiating a fair and just settlement of land claims.
Secondly, delegates sent a strong message to federal politicians that all Canadians and not just those in certain industries have to share the costs of land claims equally.
With major confrontations at Lyell Island, Meares Island and the Stein River Valley still unresolved, delegates urged action before it was too late.
"The more the logging takes place, the, Jess the Native people have to bargain with," said Ladner delegate Bruce Stevens. "How do you negotiate for the trees on Lyell Island when there is nothing left."
Howard Wale, a General Executive Board member from the Hazelton area, told delegates the struggle has gone on for years and will continue until Indian people settle land claims.
"The government has to agree to sit across the table and talk," he said. "I hope this organization can give us the support to make this happen."
In their report to the convention, UFAWU executive officers also pointed to land claims as a major issue for the fishing industry and the province.
The officers warned that the
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failure to settle claims in a fair way which respected other users of resource would lead to problems.
"The commercial fishing industry and other traditional user groups must not be required to shoulder the cost of a land claim settlement," the report said. "Whatever the ultimate cost of land and sea claims, that cost must be borne by all Canadians."
The officers charged that the federal government was using salmon as "currency in the most crass way to achieve adhoc settlements of the most superficial kind."
Instead, the officers urged both levels of government to sit down and negotiate the whole issue of land claims. Because fisheries is primarily a federal responsibility, the federal government can negotiate with Indian tribal councils on fisheries matters. But these negotiations leave all other resources out of the picture because the provincial government refuses to negotiate.
Northern organizer Ken Be-dard told delegates that he was brought up to understand the Queen Charlotte Islands belonged to the Haida Nation.
He said the Haida are now moving ahead with further attempts to force the provincial government to sit at the table and negotiate.
Logging on Lyell Island has been halted temporarily but it is expected to resume shortly. Last fall more than 70 Haidas were arrested in peaceful demonstrations against the logging.
Bedard said non-Indian support of the struggle for aboriginal rights was critical in order to achieve victory.
"Who is standing behind the Indian people in any fight they have?" he said. ''It's the UFAWU."
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